Seattle, WA

Boeing says it may raise $25 billion as Seattle strike bites – DW – 10/16/2024

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

Boeing says it may raise billion as Seattle strike bites – DW – 10/16/2024

Boeing indicated on Tuesday that it could raise up to $25 billion (€23 billion) including by issuing and selling new shares to aid its ailing balance sheet after years of heavy losses, while factory workers of the US planemaker continue to strike, demanding a better salary.

Boeing said in back-to-back regulatory filings that it could raise the funds over the next three years and enter into a fresh agreement with lenders.

Years in the making

The planemaker hasn’t made an annual profit since 2018, losing more than $25 billion in total over the years that have followed.

Boeing’s reputation has been severely hit over that period which has seen two 737 Max jets crashing, killing 346 people.

Boeing 737 Max incident could have been ‘much more tragic’

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Finances for the planemaker are currently under even more strain as a strike by workers who build most of its airline jets goes into its second month. The industrial action has deepened Boeing’s cashflow issues, slowing production and delivery.

Factory workers held a large rally in Seattle on Tuesday to demand better wages, adding pressure on new CEO Kelly Ortberg to end the dispute.

Hundreds of workers were in the main hall at union headquarters chanting “Pension! Pension! Pension!” and “One day longer, one day stronger!”

Boeing is cutting around 10% of its workforce — or 17,000 people — “over the coming months,” and postponing the launch of its first 777X jetliner. But factory workers in Seattle remained undeterred on Tuesday, as they continued to fight for higher wages and improved pensions.

A sign saying "Pension" is held above the crowd during a rally by Boeing machinists, labor allies and elected officials in Seattle at their union hall — Improved pensions was on the agenda of Boeing machinists, labor allies and elected officials in Seattle at their union hallImage: Manuel Valdes/AP/picture alliance

Around 33,000 West Coast workers, most in Washington state, have been on strike since September 13, calling for a 40% salary increase spread over four years.

The strike has halted production of Boeing’s best-selling 737 MAX and its 767 and 777 twin-aisle aircraft. The company is typically paid on delivery with its orders from airlines, hence the additional short-term cashflow strain.

Boeing made an offer to raise hourly wages for striking workers by 30% but union negotiators rejected it, saying it “did not go far enough” to address concerns, and that the planemaker “has missed the mark with this proposal.”

Now entering its second month, the strike has no end in sight and has only added to the company’s litany of problems.

As a result of the action, Boeing has said it is pushing back first delivery of the 777X to 2026 from 2025. The plane was originally supposed to enter service in January 2020.

Union leaders at a rally in Seattle to demand better working conditions — Union leaders attended a rally in Seattle as the strike entered its second monthImage: Manuel Valdes/AP/picture alliance

Share price boosted

But the company’s stated contingency plans did improve investor sentiment slightly on Tuesday, as shares of The Boeing Co roseby 2% in afternoon trading.

Boeing’s securities filings indicated that it has the ability to raise funds by offering stocks or debt over the next three years if needed, but also did not commit it to doing anything.

The planemaker said that it entered into a $10 billion supplemental credit agreement with several leading banks to provide short-term liquidity.

American credit assessment agency Fitch Ratings said the announcements increase Boeing’s financial flexibility and ease short-term liquidity fears. Management’s ability to tap capital sources other than debt “will help alleviate downgrade risks” by improving the likelihood of paying off debt that matures in 2025 and 2026, Fitch said.

The news comes as a welcome boost after credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s said last week it was considering cutting Boeing’s credit rating.

Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft returns without crew

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jsi/msh (AP, AFP, Reuters)

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Seattle, WA

1-inch RapidRide G Line error costs Seattle $650,000 to fix – MyNorthwest.com

Published

9 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

1-inch RapidRide G Line error costs Seattle 0,000 to fix – MyNorthwest.com

The City of Seattle is paying $650,000 to fix a bus line error along the RapidRide G Line.

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews removed three orange steel plates that had lifted buses by approximately one inch and repaved the short sections of the roadway along Madison Street where the plates were initially placed.

Those orange plates were a stopgap solution to properly serve riders who use wheelchairs and walkers, as the original construction for the three center-road bus stops along King County Metro’s RapidRide G Line were roughly an inch too high when it first opened in 2024.

The $650,000 construction fix is expected to come from a $144.3 million construction project, which paid for nine new buses, built 8 miles of sidewalks, repaved the road, and replaced or upgraded more than 40 traffic signals, according to The Seattle Times.

The affected stops were Stops 104, 105, and 124. Stop 104 is on Madison Street between Terry and Boren Avenues, while Stop 105 is on Madison Street between Summit and Boylston Avenues, and Stop 124 is on Madison Street at E. Union Street and 12th Avenue E.

An SDOT spokesperson told The Seattle Times the specific bus platforms were “slightly too high for bus ramps to extend properly.” If the platform height is even slightly off, riders using wheelchairs, walkers, or experiencing other mobility issues can’t get on or off the bus.

The RapidRide G Line, which opened in 2024, connects Madison Valley, Capitol Hill, First Hill, and Downtown Seattle.

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Seattle, WA

Kraken lose 5th straight game, Jets 6-2 win pushes Seattle further from playoffs

Published

22 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Kraken lose 5th straight game, Jets 6-2 win pushes Seattle further from playoffs

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Kraken dropped their fifth-straight game as the Jets won 6-2 in Winnipeg.

The loss adds to the dwindling Stanley Cup Playoff hopes for a Kraken team that’s made the postseason just once since the team began playing in the 2021-2022 season.

The Kraken’s (32-33-11) 75 points trail the Nashville Predators’ 81 points with just six games remaining.

The Jets, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Saint Louis Blues are ahead of the Kraken in the standings as teams jockey for Wild Card spots.

Kraken captain Jordan Eberle opened the scoring in the first period to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

The Jets then scored once in the first period and twice in the second to take a 3-2 advantage into the third.

Goalkeeper Joey Daccord was pulled after allowing two goals on 12 shots.

Forward Jared McCann scored early in the third period to bring the Kraken to within one.

The Jets then scored two unanswered goals and an empty-net goal to seal the 6-2 win.

Up next

The Kraken play at the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

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Seattle, WA

Our highlight list for your West Seattle Monday!

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Our highlight list for your West Seattle Monday!

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

Here’s the Monday list of highlights, most (but not all) from our West Seattle Event Calendar:

PUBLIC HEARING ON UPZONING PROPOSAL: As previewed here, the City Council is holding an all-day public hearing, both in-person and online/phone, under way right now – the agenda explains how to participate.

FREE TAX HELP: The deadline’s nearing … If you need assistance, today from 11 am-4 pm, find drop-in help at Alki Masonic Center. (4736 40th SW)

BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). Free.

NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Regular 2 pm meeting is canceled today because of the aforementioned all-day hearing.

LONG-DISTANCE ADVOCACY: Write postcards to far-away voters with West Seattle Indivisible, 3:30-5:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: In baseball, West Seattle HS vs. Seattle Academy, 3:30 pm at Delridge Playfield (4501 Delridge Way SW); at 4 pm, the Chief Sealth IHS boys’ tennis team plays Rainier Beach at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle); also at 4 pm at NCSWAC vs. Rainier Beach, West Seattle HS plays softball.

FREE HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in assistance for K-12 students at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

‘BEFORE THE BADGE’: 5:30 pm, community conversation with SPD recruits, online; our calendar listing explains how to participate.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!

‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)

ALKI MEDITATION: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues for trivia/quiz tonight! Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

POOL TOURNAMENT: If you play pool, you’re invited to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 9 pm Mondays, karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Big thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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